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The days of hard riding with little respite had taken its toll on both riders and horses, but while Elodi knew Sea Mist suffered, the Kolossos Pass could not wait. The slightest delay could mean an abrupt end to their campaign if the enemy captured the East Watchtower. But even the fittest beasts of the First Horse needed rest and sustenance, therefore Elodi had brought the company to a halt at Vymarl. Four days of the same punishing routine lay ahead, and if they were to reach their destination and still be in shape to fight, she would have to allow a full night’s sleep.

The people of Vymarl had cheered Lady Harlyn and her knights as they rode through the gates. Elodi noted her riders would not be the only ones to benefit from their stay. The news of Nordleng raids, and perhaps the flight of the corvraak, had done much to lower the spirits of those in the east. The townsfolk had prepared a commendable supper and entertained them with the folk songs of the region. But as her knights retired to their beds, Elodi was not ready to sleep and wished to speak with Nyomae.

She walked with Nyomae towards the main gate of Vymarl. A guard greeted them. ‘Be wary, ma’am. There are more than just the usual night creatures abroad these days.’

She stopped. ‘Thank you for your concern, but rest assured I am constantly on my guard of late.’ Elodi noted the youthful face beneath the old helmet. ‘Please tell me, did Captain Gundrul come back this way?’

The young man stammered. ‘Yes… he did, ma’am. And I can say we were surprised, but very pleased to see him return.’ He shuddered. ‘Not for all the jewels in Saphrir would I take one step down there, ma’am. But the brave captain and his company went all the same.’ The guard straightened. ‘But sadly, not all made it out alive. The injured received treatment here, but then they rode out at speed the next day. I believe they’re heading for the Kolossos Pass.’ He glanced to his colleague. ‘Err… ma’am? Is it true what we’re hearing from Lunn?’

Elodi took a breath. ‘And what would that be? Our enemy is known to spread false stories to sow fear and discord.’

The older guard cleared his throat. ‘Please, ma’am, let it be known we’re not in the business of spreading rumor and tittle-tattle. But we’re hearing from more than one source that Lunn has fallen to the Ruuk… and now they’re coming south.’

Elodi sighed. ‘Yes, I’m afraid Lunn has been overrun by Ruuk, aided by Nordryn, the usurper. But the true Lord Broon has returned, so please let that be known. Lord Broon commands a thousand elite fighters and will be riding this way before long.’ She noted their eyes widen. ‘So, take courage and let all know our resistance begins.’

The young guard beamed. ‘And how many ride north to defeat our foe, ma’am?’

She smiled at his enthusiasm, but inside knew this was not the moment to tell the truth. ‘We have many thousands ready to meet the challenge.’

Both the guards’ hands went to their swords. The older asked, ‘And should we prepare and ride with you, ma’am?’

‘That is very admirable of you both, but your duty is here in Vymarl.’ She looked over her shoulder. ‘As you say, there are dangers lurking already this far south. While we may be victorious in the north, the threat will remain across our land for weeks to come. Your people will be most grateful for your protection here.’

Their hands stayed on the hilts of their swords. ‘Then be comforted we shall perform that duty, ma’am.’

‘That I am. That I am…’ Elodi turned to the trees. ‘Now, we will take a short walk to clear our heads. And… don’t be troubled.’ She winked at Nyomae. ‘We’re quite capable of defending ourselves against whatever may lurk in the shadows.’ They turned and strolled to the small wood nearby. Elodi looked up to the half-moon. ‘I dearly hope those guards do not have to face the full might of our foe. It may be dark, but I could not fail to notice the age of their armor.’

Nyomae groaned. ‘The state of their armor will count for little if we fail.’

‘Alas, I fear you’re right. But their stout hearts may be of some comfort should the enemy strike this far south.’ Elodi stopped and turned to the crumbled wall marking the entrance to the Vortimo Valley. ‘Have you found any sign of Toryn and the Amayans?’

‘None. But if they had fallen, I’m certain I would have sensed their loss from the Verses.’ Her gray eyes reflected the moonlight. ‘It’s my belief they’re still in the tunnels beneath the mountains.’

Elodi’s gaze wandered up to the high peaks bordering the valley. ‘Can our defenses be bypassed? Do these tunnels stretch as far as the southern realms?’

‘They once ran the entire length of the Kolossos. Following Ormoroth’s defeat at Talaghir, Draegelan ordered they be demolished. He had no purpose for them as few could endure the oppressive air for long. They discovered a labyrinth of tunnels and dozens of underground halls. I don’t know how many were destroyed, but it’s not beyond the Ul-dalak to have tunneled more, especially if they’ve enslaved the cobtrolls. And, of course we have no way to determine their activity so far beneath our feet.’

Elodi rubbed her aching shoulders. ‘There’s yet another task to add to our long list if we survive the coming months. We cannot defend against enemy movements both above and below ground. But I would hope the surviving miners of Drunsberg could make short work of blocking tunnels with a few barrels of Shreek’s Rage.’ Elodi stopped under the first tree. ‘Thank you for coming out at this hour, Nyomae. I appreciate you need to sleep, but I wanted to speak with you away from the others.’

Nyomae laid her hand on the old trunk and bowed her head. ‘This is an old and noble tree. It has seen much in its lifetime. I pray to the Three it will live to see the region thrive once again.’ She turned to Elodi. ‘I have done much thinking on the ride north.’

Elodi sighed. ‘And for that I must apologize. I’m sure you would have preferred longer to recover from your ordeal at Telamir, but time is not on our side.’

‘There is no need. As challenging as the pace was, it gave me the opportunity to clear my mind and contemplate how to best use the knowledge I have gained.’ She took a deep breath. ‘While I have the ability to invoke the name the Maidens’ gave Ormoroth, I will enact it only in the direst of circumstances, and even then, I would be reluctant.’

Elodi took Nyomae’s hand. ‘I see doubt in your eyes. You still suspect Uluriel chose you to do her work.’

Nyomae looked up to the stars. ‘Draegelan had his reasons to divide the Order’s scrolls and forbid Imaari from studying both sets. I accompanied Sylvena to Neverdor, while Mordram and Idraman went to Abernost. And now I have broken that law, I understand why Draegelan acted as he did. However, I am not the first since the edict was passed to visit the libraries of Abernost and Neverdor.’

‘You refer to Uluriel.’

‘As Sylvena, she was denied entry to Abernost’s archives, but when in the mind of the Archon, access was granted. And I can only assume she discovered what I have of late. With that knowledge, she could have visited Telamir. Now whether the Nym would have allowed her to enter the tower, I do not know. Uluriel would have known how to summon them, but did she doubt the Nym would receive her? But regardless, if she desires to bring back Ormoroth, why has she not attempted to do so?’

Elodi leaned back against the tree. ‘Then even one as powerful as Uluriel fears to open this gateway.’

Nyomae sighed. ‘That is my belief. Those who speak Ormoroth’s name risk being cast into the Great Void. Uluriel wishes to drive us to the precipice, to the point where in my despair, I will enact the ritual she dares not to cite. But for that strategy, she must think I will fail and thus Ormoroth will overpower me and return. Or…’ Nyomae’s hand went to her face, ‘does she anticipate I may turn at the last moment and aid Ormoroth?’

Elodi gasped. ‘No! Surely not. How could you possibly betray all you hold dear?’

Tears filled Nyomae’s eyes. ‘She inducted me to the Order. Think about that. An imposter chose me. She invited me to Elmarand to study and become an Imaari.’ She grasped Elodi’s arm. ‘Has she planted something within me? Can she choose to take control and force me to act for her? I spent close to three hundred years oblivious to my past. I wandered these lands as a hermit. My mind was all but lost to me. Could another have taken possession? Perhaps they hide still.’ She sobbed. ‘Ormoroth’s true name is known to me. It consumes me. It takes all my resolve to prevent my lips from uttering that most perilous word.’

Elodi wrapped her arm around Nyomae’s shoulders. ‘Doesn’t that prove you remain true? If Uluriel or one of her kind did indeed have some power over you, would they not have forced you to invoke it already? As you said, why would they wait when they have the means to bring him back? And not forgetting the Nym. Surely, if they had suspected a shadow lay within, they would not have revealed the location of the Elorym’s knowledge.’

Nyomae slumped back against the tree. ‘Perhaps you’re right. I am tired and weak, and my mind is full of doubt.’

‘I have faith in you. There is not a bone in your body that could possibly be exploited by the dark forces of this world.’ Elodi pulled her cloak around her shoulders. ‘It’s cold tonight.’ Her eyes went to the sky, noting the clouds had all but gone. ‘This would be considered cool even in Calerdorn at this time of year.’ She shuddered. ‘At Tunduska, Uldrak froze the pass enabling those ghastly Norgog creatures to enter the fray. Could they achieve the same trick this far south?’

Nyomae looked up. ‘It is not beyond their ability to bring about a temporary change such as a storm or a gale. But to influence the seasons? It would take a concerted effort, and a great power that I hope is yet beyond them.’

But Elodi remained to be convinced. ‘The farmers of Harlyn grumble about consecutive cool springs shrinking their yields. What if they can bring the cold of Nordruuk to the middle lands of our realms?’

Nyomae thought for a moment. ‘The archives tell of cold spells in Draegelan’s early reign as Archon. But also, of decades of warmth. It may be a consequence of the eternal struggle between the Verses of the Maidens’ growth, and those of death and decay. Perhaps dominance shifts from one to the other over time.’

Elodi’s scalp tingled. ‘Do you feel that?’

Nyomae pointed. ‘Our feathered friend and inquisitive rider I presume.’

Elodi watched the corvraak head north. ‘Perhaps we can take some encouragement Uleva wishes to keep her distance after our last encounter.’